Vitamin A

Vitamin A was first discovered back in 1912, by a Polish biochemist named Casimir Funk. Funk was the first to discover vitamins as we know them today, although vitamin A was actually the first one discovered, hence the letter ?A? in the title of the vitamin.

You can find vitamin A in natural foods such as oranges and yellow fruits. When found in vegetables, vitamin A is water soluble, coming in the form of beta carotene. The beta carotene form of vitamin A can be eliminated from your body through natural processes, making it an excellent way to get vitamin A.
Vitamin A is required by the body on an every day basis to maintain healthy skin and keep your eyesight on track. The fact is, ancient Egyptian doctors prescribed liver in their time, which they said contained enough vitamin A to combat night blindness. Vitamin A is also known as an antioxidant, which makes it ideal to prevent cancer and anti aging. To get the proper absorption of vitamin A, you?ll need to consume fat. To get the proper absorption of vitamin A in your diet, you?ll need to consume a high enough level of protein. Protein combines with vitamin A to make it stronger, and help it move through your body.

On a normal day, you should be consuming around 5,000 international units (IU) of vitamin A. No matter what age you may be, you can feel safe to consume high amounts of vitamin A in the form of beta carotene.

If you don?t consume enough vitamin A in your diet, you?ll end up with a deficiency. A deficiency is never a good thing, as it normally results in skin problems, increased infections, and even night blindness as well. A prolonged deficiency in vitamin A can put you at a risk for cancer as well, and you?ll also miss out on any effects of anti aging that the vitamin might have. Vitamin A is very important, and should always be included in your diet. You can find it in many foods, or take supplements that include the well needed vitamin. If you are going to take supplements, you should make sure that they provide the right amounts - with no side effects.